Wednesday, June 25, 2014

I've been keeping my camera on the kitchen table, ready to go, for the last several days, trying to catch one of these rascals on 'film'. I never get there in time. I see them from the sink, move to the window, and by the time I'm in position, they flit off. They move so fast, it's easy to think they are not wholly of this dimension.

So, this morning, camera (and coffee) in hand, I pulled a chair up to the window, and waited. Patience soon paid off, as before I could take 2 photos of one, a second little rascal showed up. There was a bit of a tiff, but they settled on opposite sides, and had their fill.

I love the sciences, biology in particular. I'm forever looking up names of plants and birds, interested in their biological classification. Then doing further research into specifics concerning various feeding/growing habits, origin, etc. I find it fascinating. Why then, do you ask, am I not a biologist? I considered it, but alas, I have not the memory required for it. A few details about a specific specimen may stick, but most of it is gone moments after I've read it.

Why the science tangent? These little critters have an air of magic about them, and no matter how many times science explains their capabilities away, I find myself in awe while watching them. I hold a similar opinion of bumblebees.

We have had many storms moving through our area, and as such our sunsets have been filled with color and texture. Vibrant blues, purples and pinks fading across the sky into yet more blues, yellows and even greens. It is times like this, that I'm glad we don't have a whole lot of trees blocking our view of the skies.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Hello out there blogland friends! I've been so busy with my yard this Spring, that I haven't had a moment to write or to even stop by and visit my favourite blogs, (which I will be doing as soon as write up this little post).

So much has changed in my yard - of course, most of that is Mother Nature taking her course and turning my yard into a lush paradise. But, I have been hard at work, not only maintaining, but creating new spaces as well. I'll feature one in this post, and then I'll need to go snap a few more photos of the other spaces for the next entry...

Caraganas, chockecherry and lilac shrubs all crammed together create a lovely border in front of the poplars
behind them.

The old-fashioned lilacs are putting on a wonderful show this year! And my yard smells amazing! Heaven! I also
have a long row of hybrid lilacs, and while lovely, they do not compare with these. The hybrids bloom later though,
and it is nice to stretch out the lilac season with the 2 different types.

Here is how the garden at the beginning of my driveway looked in April, dead plants and all. It felt puny,
and I had dreamed up an idea over the winter that I could barely wait to start on.

It needed to be bigger, so out came the sod cutter and shovel, and away I went. It didn't take me as long
as I thought it would, and I just let the shape evolve...

Here is the finished product. The wagon wheel is gorgeous being mostly wood with iron strapping and an axle.
My husband spotted it last year while picking stones in a nearby field. I couldn't be happier with it.
The bench is concrete, and the kids are now using it to wait for the school bus.
The path is gravel with flat rocks sunk in. I really love how it turned out.
There were some daylilies from last year, and I filled the rest of the space with African daisies in shades of red,
yellow and orange. They have taken root nicely, and I can't wait to see what it will look like in full bloom!